Improvement in corsets



v UNITED STATES "PATENT CFFICE MARY J. (l. VANORSTRAND, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN CQRSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,901, dated February 1, 1876 application filed J uly 6, 1875.

' To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, MARY J. G. VANOR- STRAND, formerly of Pekin, Illinois, and now of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,

reference being had to the annexed drawing v piration, is a principal feature of the present invention. It also relates to the means employed for supporting the abdomen.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A represents a corset containing my improvement. and O the back. D I) represent elastic webbings,1which, at either side respectively, connect the front and bnckof the corset, extending from the top to the bottom thereof. E represents a broad steel arranged at the center of the back, and also extending from the top to the bottom of the garment. In curvature it conforms to the back of the wearer, turning slightly outward at the lower end.

' F F represent lacings arranged in the back of the corset, at either side of the steel E, and preferably but a short distance therefrom, as shown. G represents a removable skirt-supporter, attached to the corset immediately at the waist, and in such manner as to'stand directly outward therefrom, as shown in Fig. 3.

The operation of the" invention asv thus far described is as follows: By means of the lacings F F the corset is adjusted to the person as snugly as is desired, and is hooked in front in the usual way. Then by virtue of the elastic webbings D D, the corset being made expansible, it yields freely to the movements of the chest and obviates any uneasiness or cramping incident to the use of corsets, wherein lacing only is employed, and this flexible adjustment being attained by means of the lacings and webbing only, and nothing being used like astrap which projects above the corset, it will be seen thatthe dress can be B B represent the front of the corset,

drawn neatly and smoothly thereupon. The front of the corset at its lower end is extended to form an abdominal supporter, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper portion of the front is made in the usual way. To form the supporter the extension b b is made adjustable and expansible to provide for varying-shapes and movements. To this end elastic gores H H are inserted at either side, and in addition the extension is slitted at I I, at which places systems of adjustable elastic straps are ar-' ranged. Also, at the center in front, and below the ordinary steels a a, is'arranged an elastic lacing, J. g

The operation of this supporting feature of the corset is as follows: The adjustable straps I I are properly let out, as well as the lacing.-

J, to suit the condition of the body, and so as to gather the extreme lower end" of the extension in closer than the part above. The extension having been suitably adjusted the elastic elements therein (the straps, gores,

and lacing) provide for all the changes and an elastic gore (similar'to the gore H) in place thereof.

I am aware that elastic material has been used in the construction of corsets, and also, that corsets have been provided with abdominal extensions, and therefore do not claim such broadly; but

Having described my invention, what, I

claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isg y In a corset, the combination of the front B B, extensions 11 I), back 0, elastic connections D D, elastic lacings F F, and steel E, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

' MARY J G. VANORSTRAND.

' Witnesses:

OHAs. D. MOODY,

JOHN W. GoLLINs.

construction may be 

